Helfrich's firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi
Also known as Helfrich's Dartfish, Helfrichi Firefish, Lavender Firefish, Helfrich's Firefish Goby
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Microdesmidae
- Origin
- Native to the tropical Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands and Micronesia to French Polynesia, on deep rubble slopes usually below 25 m.
Overview
A 75 litre or larger reef tank at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with a tight lid suits it, since firefish jump through the smallest gap. It is fully reef safe and eats zooplankton, so feed mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and pods. It is peaceful and rather shy, best kept singly or as a bonded pair, and it should not share a tank with large predatory shrimp.
In the wild
Helfrich's firefish hovers just above deep rubble slopes, darting into a burrow at the first sign of danger. It has a pale lavender body, a yellow face, and a purple crown on the head. It picks zooplankton drifting past its shelter. Because it comes from deeper water it is less common and more prized than the other firefish.
Good to know
Nemateleotris helfrichi is a dartfish in the family Microdesmidae. It lives in pairs on the reef and shares its burrow with its mate. Like other firefish it flicks its tall first dorsal fin up and down as a signal.
Did you know
Deepwater collection means Helfrich's firefish usually costs several times more than the common red firefish it resembles in shape.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Helfrich's firefish is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Peppermint shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Skilletfish
Gobiesox strumosus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Banggai cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Pederson's cleaner shrimp
Ancylomenes pedersoni
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Helfrich's firefish need?
A Helfrich's firefish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Helfrich's firefish need?
A Helfrich's firefish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Helfrich's firefish get?
An adult Helfrich's firefish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Related species
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